India Simplifies Visa Rules, Cuts Categories from 13 to Nine
NEW DELHI, November 11, 2026 (VoM News): The Indian government has announced a major overhaul of its visa system, reducing the number of main visa categories from 13 to nine and sub-categories from 49 to 23 to simplify travel procedures for foreign nationals visiting the country.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has also reduced the number of fields in visa application forms by 65 to 70 per cent across all 23 sub-categories.
The exercise follows an earlier rationalisation undertaken in October 2025. The government said it studied visa systems in developed countries and international standards before introducing the latest changes.
Tourist Visa Replaced by Visitor Visa
The Tourist Visa has been renamed the Visitor Visa, with a broader scope covering tourism, short-term business meetings, medical consultations, wellness retreats and cultural and educational courses.
The new category has two sub-categories: V-1 and V-2. The V-1 visa will be issued for 30 days with multiple entries and will cover tourism, short-term medical treatment, yoga programmes and courses in Indian languages, music, art and craft, among other activities.
The V-2 visa will be available with one-, five- or 10-year validity, depending on eligibility. It will cover activities permitted under V-1, along with mountaineering. A separate six-month multiple-entry provision has also been introduced for mountaineering.
Medical Visas to Get One-Year Validity
The Medical Visa framework has been reorganised into M-1 for conventional medical treatment and M-3 for treatment under AYUSH systems.
Both categories, including their e-visa variants, will generally be granted for one year with multiple entries. Attendant visas will be issued under M-2 for patients holding M-1 visas and M-4 for those holding M-3 visas.
The government said the changes would make it easier for foreign patients requiring repeated consultations, follow-up appointments and extended treatment. The move is also part of the ‘Heal in India’ initiative.
New Provisions for Foreign Students and Researchers
The Student Visa category has been consolidated into S-1 and S-2. S-1 will cover school, graduate and postgraduate education, while S-2 will include PhD scholars, research students, visiting faculty, scientific and anthropological expeditions, internships and exchange programmes.
Foreign students admitted to Indian institutions through the Study in India portal may receive an e-S1 visa valid for up to five years or the duration of their academic course, whichever is shorter. The visa will allow multiple entries.
Business Visa Categories Streamlined
The Business Visa category has been reorganised into B-1 and B-2. B-1 will cover long-term business activities, including the establishment of industrial and commercial ventures, while B-2 will cover short-term and contract-based activities such as production investment, conferences, sports, cultural performances and film shoots.
A specific provision has also been introduced under B-2 for foreign experts, engineers and technical personnel engaged by Indian companies. It covers specialists involved in installation and commissioning, quality checks, maintenance, production, IT and ERP operations, training, supply chain development, plant design and technical support.
Such professionals may be granted a Production Investment Business Visa through the e-visa platform. The government said these activities were previously covered under the e-B4 visa nomenclature.
E-Visa Facility Available to 172 Countries
India currently offers e-visas to nationals of 172 countries through electronic travel authorisation under 13 sub-categories.
The government is updating its information technology systems to implement the revised framework. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, visas under the new system are expected to be issued by the end of 2026.
The nine main categories will be Business, Diplomatic, Work, Journalist, Medical, Official, Student, Visitor and Miscellaneous visas.
The Miscellaneous category will cover people of Indian origin and their spouses and children, dependents of foreign nationals holding long-duration visas, individuals joining specified institutions such as the Auroville Foundation, Afghan nationals seeking stay visas and certain long-term visa provisions for nationals of neighbouring countries.
The government said the changes are aimed at making India’s visa system simpler and more accessible for foreign tourists, patients, students, researchers and business professionals.
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